OIL and gas industry services firm Score Group outlined the need to continue training and bringing new people into the industry at a lunch and learn event in Aberdeen last month.
The firm, which has taken on 50 apprentices so far this year, with a further 25 spaces to fill in January, opened its business to the industry, with sessions on value technology and an overview of how the business is changing and improving its business.
But most of all it emphasised training.
Conrad Ritchie, deputy managing director and also the first apprentice employed by Score in 1988, said: “We are in the midst of a buoyant period in the oil and gas market and, although cautious, are very optimistic for the future, the future will be driven by the apprentices and graduates of today and it is this commitment to training that has allowed our company to grow and develop innovative products that are being showcased here today.
“The oil and gas industry as a whole must be absolutely focused on training these young individuals for the benefit of all concerned.
“Market driven unsustainable inflated rates of pay coupled with a chronic shortage of skilled labour puts a massive strain on a company’s skilled workforce, this is evident throughout our industry.”
The firm currently has more than 200 apprentices on its six-year training programme, including field and overseas work in the latter years, with many going on to complete degrees.
A number of its directors are former Score-trained apprentices, including Mr Ritchie.
Types of apprenticeships include mechanical, IT, admin, electrical, welding, aeronautical, NDT and multimedia.
Overall, the group currently employees about 1,450 people.